Regional Summits Past Events

The Performance Playbook Summit

Apr 03 • Hosted by Elanco • Indianapolis

The Performance Playbook Summit, is an exclusive gathering designed to examine how modern brands drive growth, relevance, and lasting impact. Hosted by Elanco, this summit brings together industry leaders for candid conversations, actionable insights, and meaningful connections focused on performance, innovation, and results.

Taking place on the Friday of the NCAA Final Four weekend, this event offers a dynamic backdrop for high level dialogue and peer to peer exchange. Attendees can expect engaging discussions, strategic networking, and takeaways that will help shape smarter marketing strategies for the year ahead.

Friday, April 3rd, 2026

9:00 AM Breakfast and Registration
10:00 AM Welcome Remarks

Brandon Gutman, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

Marc Sternberg, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

Joe Varano, Vice President, Content and Community, Brand Innovators

Emcee: Mika Takahashi, Advisor, Corporate Communications, Elanco
10:10 AM The New Rules of Performance Marketing in 2026

Performance marketing has entered a new era where incrementality matters more than impressions, AI informs every decision, and brand building and demand generation are no longer separate disciplines. In this candid conversation, senior marketers unpack how they are balancing short-term revenue pressure with long-term brand equity, redefining ROI, and navigating a measurement landscape shaped by retail media, first-party data, and privacy regulation. What does performance really mean in 2026 and who owns it inside the organization?

Mary Jensen, Senior Director of Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine for U.S. Pet Health Marketing, Elanco

Ed Martin, Co-Founder, 100billionmeals.org

Matt Perkins, Senior Director, Rx Parasiticide Marketing, Elanco

Moderated By: Jim McDonald, Director of Client Sales, Functional Food, PatientPoint
10:55 AM Adidas Basketball Takes You Beyond the Brand

Adidas Marketing executives will discuss how Adidas Basketball is becoming the next generation brand in the sport. From fashion, culture, music and gaming to NIL and entertainment partnerships, Adidas is shaping the future of basketball culture.

Cameron Mason, Senior Director of Sports Marketing, adidas

Jeremy Sallee, Senior Design Director, Basketball, adidas

Moderated By: Patti Ziegler, Managing Partner, The Shipyard
11:25 AM Clicks to Connection: Making Digital Engagement Meaningful

Digital engagement is evolving from transactional interactions to relationship-driven experiences. Join leading marketers as they share how they’re transforming data, personalization, and content strategy into measurable connection and long-term brand growth.

Ashley Travis, Head of Growth Marketing, Pizza Hut

Moderated By: Ryan McBride, SVP, Business Development, Yobi
11:55 AM INDYCAR Meet & Greet

Garret Mudd, Chief Commercial Officer, Ed Carpenter Racing
12:10 PM Turning Shelf Space into Screen Space

Retail has become media. From retail media networks to shoppable social and connected commerce ecosystems, brands are transforming the path to purchase into a measurable growth engine. This session dives into how marketers are leveraging first-party data, optimizing digital shelf presence, and aligning trade and media budgets to drive performance.

Mike Burke, Manager, Commerce Media, Hershey’s

Adam Herstig, SVP Marketing – International, Lids

Moderated By: Brett Gentry, Sales Director, MRI Simmons
12:55 PM Lunch
2:00 PM Building Brands that Matter

Today’s consumers expect more than products – they expect principles. But purpose without performance isn’t sustainable. In this conversation, brand leaders discuss how they’re aligning mission with measurable business impact, navigating cultural nuance, and building long-term trust across stakeholders. How do you ensure your brand stands for something and stands out in the process?

Jennifer Ballou, Senior Brand Manager Platforms and Partnerships, Mondelẽz International

Adam Pintar, Senior Director of Brand, Marketing and Communications, Indianapolis Indians

Mika Takahashi, Advisor, Corporate Communications, Elanco

Daron Williams, Director of Digital Media, Indianapolis Colts

Moderated By: Anna Clark, Industry Manager – CPG, Reddit
2:45 PM Networking Break
3:00 PM From Awareness to Action: Turning Fans Into Customers

How brands move audiences from attention to engagement to purchase in today’s fragmented media environment.

Heather Leiferman, Director of Communications, Great Clips

Jim McDonald, Director of Client Sales, Functional Food, PatientPoint

Brittany Trangsrud, External Communications Manager, Great Clips

Moderated By: Alex Moeller, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships at Andretti Global
3:45 PM Partnerships with Purpose: Driving Relevance Through Collaboration

The right partnership can unlock new audiences, deepen credibility, and accelerate growth — but only when rooted in shared values and strategic alignment. In this closing conversation, brand leaders explore how they’re approaching sponsorships, creator collaborations, nonprofit alliances, and cultural partnerships with intention and accountability.

Stephen Denton, Chief Executive Officer, Opendorse

Kelly Hiller, Chief Marketing Officer, Purdue University

Cameron Mason, Senior Director of Sports Marketing, adidas

Beth Ruge, Senior Director of Marketing, Health and Wellness, Heartland Food Products Group (Splenda® and SlimFast®)
Moderated By: Brett Gentry, Sales Director, MRI Simmons
4:30 PM Integrating Media, Content, and Culture to Maximize Reach and Relevance

Michael Marcus, Director, Brand Marketing, BODYARMOR Sports Nutrition, The Coca-Cola Company

Moderated By: Anna Clark, Industry Manager – CPG, Reddit
5:15 PM Happy Hour
6:15 PM Wrap